How To Find Possible Leak In Boat

[Ryannnnnnnn]

Hello,

Fairly new to boating and have a 2012 horizon 435 easy fisher aluminium boat. It has a pretty deep, strong hull on it with a false floor.

After I've been out on the water for a few hours I look in the hull (have a hatch to access bilge pump and also a storage compartment at the front) and find there's a bit of water sitting in there, in the corrgugations of the hull - I guess about a few cups of water. I remember when I first got the boat 6 months ago, there was never any water inside the hull.

Here's some additional notes:

- It's salty to taste
- It's not residual from washing it down post use - I have a steep driveway which I leave the boat to dry on and make sure it's all dry before taking it out
- Around the bung plugs themselves look dry from the inside
- The hull has no visible patches, dents or cracks that I can see
- I am out in calm water so I don't really take any water on board

What I've tried to attempt to find the cause:

- Put a lantern in different places inside the hull and crawled around the boat in the pitch black to see if there was any pinpoles showing light
- Put water in the anchor well and tested if there were any leaks from the drainage hose

Couldn't find any evidence where the water might be coming from - I'm baffled!

Is it a bad idea fill (not completely full of course, a few cms of water) inside the hull and see if any water comes out? Or could this damage the trailer? Are there any other ways to find a leak?

 

Thanks

[aussie123]

I cannot help you find the leak but I can help you fix it.

BTW, most leaks are from worn bungs so if you cannot find any leak, start with replacing the bungs

.

[benno573]

Hey mate. Not a bad idea to do it all in reverse. Bungs in and add water carefully, keeping the underside dry at all times. Once you add a reasonable amount, any holes should become evident by looking for the wet spot underneath.

 

but as lance said - start off replacing the bungs and see how you go there. Cheap and easy way to eliminate one likely cause.

@aussie123 - not sure this method would work for pin holes in a tinny? If it does... I guess that’s just unfortunate.

[kmcrosby78]

That method isn't a long term fix unfortunately @aussie123 - I tried it but it leaked again next time, so I gave up ...........

@benno573 - pretty sure @ellicat use this method to fix the pin holes in 'The Force' ....... but I guess, in life he is 'unfortunate' ..........  

@Ryannnnnnnn - that's a pretty young/new hull. How does the fitting of the bung hole look - no gaps or sealant used to seal any gaps? And because you're only talking about a few cups of water, are you sure none is coming into the boat whilst travelling at speed?

[Drop Bear]

Filling your boat with water is a good way to find the leak. Like you say not too much. You can also put a bit of food colouring in the bottom of the boat so that you can see it when it runs out otherwise it is really hard to track it down. 

A small amount of water is pretty normal to have in the bottom of the boat but for piece of mind it wont hurt to find the source. 

 

[rayke1938]

Bestt way do it on concrete, support rear corners of trailer with bricks, raise jockey wheel and commence filling. hopefully you will see some drops of water, if not lower jockey wheel as water runs to bow. keep on filling till you find leak. if it is small may have to leave for a couple of hours. do not use silicone to patch.

worry for typos using tablet inbutcher shop

(fixed it for you Ray)

[rayke1938]

If it's a pin hole arahlisite or 2weld if split weld

[Ryannnnnnnn]

 Alright with your guys help it looks like there's a slow leak from one of the bung plugs. Is there a certain brand of plug or shop you recommend getting a new set from? 

[Old Scaley]

Could be just the washer on the bung or the rivett is rotting out. Try new bungs first. If that doesn’t work drill out all the rivetts and replace them and seal them with sikaflex. Always start with the cheapest option and work up. 

[Drop Bear]

Glad you found the problem. I have never worried too much about small leeks. Not really a problem if you are only out for a few hours but if you are doing extended trip might be worth worrying about.